12.11.15

Ranking Member Grijalva Thanks Forest Service for Canceling Arizona Wild Horse Roundup, Pursuing More Collaborative Approach

Washington, D.C. – Ranking Member Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) today welcomed the news that the U.S. Forest Service is withdrawing its proposal to round up and remove a wild horse herd near Tonto National Forest in central Arizona. Tonto Supervisor Neil Bosworth announced the decision after Grijalva and most other Arizona representatives sent him a letter last week urging a more collaborative approach to herd management.

“Supervisor Bosworth has done the right thing, and I look forward to working with him and his team to make sure these horses and their habitat are protected for the long term,” Grijalva said. “Roundups are expensive, invasive and environmentally destructive. We can’t keep thinking about wild horse herd management as mowing the lawn every so often. Members of the public deserve a chance to weigh in on the herd’s future, and I’m happy that – thanks to Supervisor Bosworth’s carefully considered decision – they’re going to get it.”

The announcement means the approximately 100 horses living near Tonto National Forest will now be subject to a collaborative long-term management plan to be worked out between the Forest Service, local conservation advocates and other stakeholders.

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